tire selection for my Suburban

[dieselfuel]

I don't post a lot here on ExPo so I figured I'd throw this out there.

I'm building a camping/overland vehicle with my '89 GMC Suburban, here in the next couple months, i'm gonna need tires. The truck will sit at 5" of lift when I'm done so i'm looking for tires in the 35-37" range. I think 'm gonna need a load range E, it's gonna be a heavy truck. I prefer narrow tires but it seems 12.5" is about average in that height range, metric or standard. I live in the southwest so mud or snow is a rarity, an aggressive all terrain would probably work. A mud terrain that isn't too loud or rough on the road would be great, the truck will see a lot of highway miles I'm sure. I've only ever owner Swampers and BFG all terrains on 4x4s, something in between would be nice. I'd rather not spend $400+ per tire as well.

So what are you guys running? What do you like? What do you dislike?

 

[Shocker]

Yeah baby! Tire time!

What size rim are you looking at? 16" leaves you with fewer options. Moving to a 17" opens up the door to some decent tires at better prices.

******** Cepek has discontinued the Fun Country II so there are some decent deals on 35x12.50x16. Load range E and 3 ply sidewall I think. Under 250 per tire I have seen them.

The metric equivalent is 315/75r16 and there are plenty of options in that size. Just a hair under 35. I would look at 3 ply sidewall IMHO. Nitto has a good rep. Toyo MT are excellent and all report say they are quite for an MT

I am nearing analysis paralysis on tire for VanDOOM so I am full of data at the moment. But I haven't been looking at tires that big so my info is limited to 285 max.

 

[dieselfuel]

Yeah baby! Tire time!

What size rim are you looking at? 16" leaves you with fewer options. Moving to a 17" opens up the door to some decent tires at better prices.

******** Cepek has discontinued the Fun Country II so there are some decent deals on 35x12.50x16. Load range E and 3 ply sidewall I think. Under 250 per tire I have seen them.

The metric equivalent is 315/75r16 and there are plenty of options in that size. Just a hair under 35. I would look at 3 ply sidewall IMHO. Nitto has a good rep. Toyo MT are excellent and all report say they are quite for an MT

I am nearing analysis paralysis on tire for VanDOOM so I am full of data at the moment. But I haven't been looking at tires that big so my info is limited to 285 max.

I'm definitely fine with moving to a 17" wheel. I've also heard good things about the nitto and toyo m/t tires. I keep heating good things about the Goodyear mt/r but they're a little more expensive.

 

[bowstryder]

I am looking at the MT BAJA ATZ P3's at the moment for my 90 burb. They seem to be the cats meow for an aggressive AT, however, spendy!!! At one time I was bent on getting a set of MT/R Kevlar but those tires would not be a good match for something the size of your suburban, especially with the weight ever increasing. They just don't hold up well on heavy rigs. The Nitto TRAIL Grapplers are a great tire, but they need a bit more siping and they are quiet heavy so keep that in mind. My ton swap won't be finished till late summer so I am going to save the pennies and try for the P3's. Just my .02

 

[4x4junkie]

I'm definitely fine with moving to a 17" wheel. I've also heard good things about the nitto and toyo m/t tires. I keep heating good things about the Goodyear mt/r but they're a little more expensive.

I had MT/R Kevlars on mine... They were great at first, but then slowly started becoming out of round. By 12K miles I had to get rid of them they vibrated too much on the freeway (rebalancing them was a futile effort). I've seen other reports of balance & vibration issues with them too. Too bad, they were a downright awesome tire otherwise.

I think the BFG AT KO is pretty hard to beat in a All-Terrain. Their KM2 is a great tire too, though their sizing seems to be a slight bit off (the 35x12.50 BFGs I replaced my MT/R-Ks with are 34.5", where the MT/R-K was a full 35").

 

[98dango]

Your pretty much stuck with a 12.50 on a 35 37 really not that bad I had some 37 procomp at that aren't bad 18" wheel tho. Falken makes 37s also papawheele has them seems to like them. I'm looking at 37 cooper stt for our new build

 

[The Grinch]

If money is a factor go with military take offs. The newer tread styles like the Baja off the hummvee is nice and a lot better then the old mt's. T hey have thick sidewalks and are rated heavy. The only drawback is the 16.5 rim.

Check out trailworthyfab to get an idea. If you go 17's the h2 wheels look nice on the older Chevys and can normally be had with alterains. Again nice choices if your not into buying new.

 

[98dango]

How dose every one find h2 wheels there are mabie 5 where I live and all of them have stock wheels.

 

[dieselfuel]

If money is a factor go with military take offs. The newer tread styles like the Baja off the hummvee is nice and a lot better then the old mt's. T hey have thick sidewalks and are rated heavy. The only drawback is the 16.5 rim.

Check out trailworthyfab to get an idea. If you go 17's the h2 wheels look nice on the older Chevys and can normally be had with alterains. Again nice choices if your not into buying new.

I've got Goodyear military surplus tires right now, I'd kinda like to get away from 16.5s. I've considered the newer BFG mil-surp tires though, they look good and I hear they hold up great. If I stay with 16.5s I'll be getting some bead locks.

I had MT/R Kevlars on mine... They were great at first, but then slowly started becoming out of round. By 12K miles I had to get rid of them they vibrated too much on the freeway (rebalancing them was a futile effort). I've seen other reports of balance & vibration issues with them too. Too bad, they were a downright awesome tire otherwise.

I think the BFG AT KO is pretty hard to beat in a All-Terrain. Their KM2 is a great tire too, though their sizing seems to be a slight bit off (the 35x12.50 BFGs I replaced my MT/R-Ks with are 34.5", where the MT/R-K was a full 35").

That's too bad, the kevlars are a great looking tire.
Every BFG all terrain I've owned has separated in dramatic fashion, I'd rather not own another set of them.

 

[redthies]

Toyo AT 2 is a fantastic tire. Maybe worth a look? I absolutely loved my Toyo MTs, but they might be a bit much for what you are after.

 

[dieselfuel]

Toyo AT 2 is a fantastic tire. Maybe worth a look? I absolutely loved my Toyo MTs, but they might be a bit much for what you are after.

Thanks I'll look them up.

 

[Rovertrader]

I realize you aren't keen on the BFG A/Ts but I ran the 37s on my PW, and they did fine. However, I am running the Toyo A/T-IIs on my '87 burb, and love them- albeit only 2" lift and 285/75-17 on H-2 wheels for a nice skinny 34...

 

[arveetek]

I'm really pleased with the Kenda Klever M/T's I installed on my Tahoe. Excellent tire, excellent value. Solid construction, and excellent tread life so far.


Here's a write-up I did on my tires:


http://overlandguild.org/index.php?topic=129.0


Casey

 

[dieselfuel]

I'm really pleased with the Kenda Klever M/T's I installed on my Tahoe. Excellent tire, excellent value. Solid construction, and excellent tread life so far.


Here's a write-up I did on my tires:


http://overlandguild.org/index.php?topic=129.0


Casey

thanks i'm glad you're happy with them. unfortunately it looks like they aren't available in a 35-37" height.

 

[98dango]

There are not a ton of options in 37. I have found my best luck in 17" wheel's from what I find falken and Cooper are the best high milage options. I am leaning to the Cooper stt as I want a more aggressive tread.